Improvement in preparing mica for making reflectors, mirrors



UNITED STATES rnrrfrn.

PATENT WILLIAM M. MARSHALL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PREPARING MICA FOR MAKING REFLECTORS, MIRRORS, 8L0.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 12,497, dated April 26, 15364.

' exact description thereof.

The nature of myinvention consists in using mica instead of glass, either by coating the mica with a metallic surface adhering thereto,

.as glass is now coated, or in using the mica as a covering for a. metallic reflector alreadymade. In the one caseIovercometheliability of breakage by heat or otherwise, as with glass, as well as being able to produce any desirable shape, the mica bending to the shape, itbeing flexible, which glass will not do. In the other case by covering a metallic surface already made I preserve it from the atmosphere, there by preventing oxidation or any necessity of cleaning, which destroys the polish first put on.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe my method of making reflectors.

I would first prepare, in wood, metal, paper, papier-mach, or other suitable material,the shape of the reflector I wish to make. The mica, having been coated with anysuitable metallic surface, should becut-into the necessary shapes to allow ofits being placed in the article you have made, where it may be fastened by any suitable cement or otherwise. Strips of wood,

pasteboard, metal, or other material may be cut into the requisite curves and covered with the prepared mica, so that when brought together would form a suitable-shaped reflector. In this way reflectors of immense size may readily be made.-

By using prepared mica reflectors can be made in every conceivable shape and size, from a small one for a coal-oil lamp to one several feet in diameter, and combining the advantages of glass without its disadvantages with the advantages of metal without its cost and trouble of keeping clean. If used as a covering to protect a reflector made of metal, it is of course used in its original state, merely cutting it-to the desired shape necessary to make it lie flat to the under surface.

I do not claim the use of mica as a protector to an inflammable shade, as that has been done before; but

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The use of mica for the purpose of making reflectors when it is coated with a metallic surface adhering thereto, or the placing it over any metallic surface used for a reflector for the purpose of protecting it.

Philadelphia, March 23, 1861.

WM. M. MARS EIA LL.

Witnesses:

B. ENGLAND, I. F. BUsoH. 

